President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio showed up to Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night to watch the University of Miami take on Indiana University in the College Football Playoff national championship.
Rubio, a Miami native and University of Miami law school alumnus, walked the field before kickoff in support of the Hurricanes, throwing up a “U” to support his alma mater as they took on the undefeated Hoosiers, who would go on to win 27-21, finishing the season 16-0.
As American Idol winner Jamal Roberts sang the national anthem Monday night, cameras panned to Trump in a box seat with his family. Rubio said before kickoff that he and Trump had “work-related” business to discuss at the game. “We got a couple of things going on that I gotta talk to him about,” the secretary of state said.
It was not immediately clear who Trump, a Florida resident when not at the White House, was supporting on Monday night. He wore a suit to the matchup, sporting a white shirt and his signature red tie, which also happens to be the Hoosiers’ colors. Trump’s granddaughter, Kai, plays golf at the University of Miami and was sporting her Hurricanes colors. According to Politico, Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN), an Indiana alum, was also in the president’s box seats.
HOW THE SUPREME COURT BROKE COLLEGE FOOTBALL, AND HOW CONGRESS CAN FIX IT
Under the leadership of head coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana has had a historic year with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza as they vied for a perfect season on Monday against the Hurricanes. The once down-and-out Hoosiers have had a fairytale turnaround under Cignetti since he arrived in Bloomington in 2023, defeating Alabama and Oregon in the playoff to make the title game.
The Hurricanes were led by quarterback Carson Beck and defeated Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss in the playoffs to reach the championship. Miami finished the season 13-3.
